| Most gardeners love pruning. Some plant types | | | | until you become more experienced. |
| are pruned regularly to keep them growing in a | | | | The second purpose for pruning the Phalaenopsis |
| particular shape but most are trimmed or pruned | | | | is to encourage a second round of flowers. |
| to remove old growth and give the plant new | | | | Pruning the flower stems a little just as the |
| vitality. Pruning is widely believed to benefit some | | | | blooms wilt can result in a second flowering. This |
| plants by enabling them to redirect energy into | | | | isn't always the case, but if you want to give it a |
| new growth instead of using it to keep old or | | | | try, the correct place to cut is about an inch |
| unhealthy growth alive. | | | | above the top node. |
| It's relatively simple to prune orchids but it's vitally | | | | Trimming other Orchids |
| important to undertake the task at the correct | | | | Many other types of orchids are trimmed rather |
| time of the year; and to know exactly where to | | | | than pruned. Here are some of the popular |
| cut stems. Cutting back too much will result in | | | | varieties and tips for trimming them. |
| your orchid struggling to survive and cutting in the | | | | - Dendrobiums - unhealthy or dead canes and |
| wrong place can be a fatal error. How you prune | | | | stalks are removed but you need to take care |
| will depend on the type of orchids you have. | | | | doing this – Dendrobium canes can seem to |
| How to Prune a Phalaenopsis | | | | be dying off but are in fact stockpiling nutrients |
| If you've been doing a little research on this topic | | | | the plant can use to grow. |
| it's possible you've read conflicting opinions on | | | | - Cymbidiums – dead growth and unhealthy |
| when and how this type of orchid should be | | | | roots can be removed during the repotting |
| pruned. Experienced orchid growers have often | | | | process. |
| experimented quite a bit and have their own way | | | | - Cattleyas – these are not pruned as such |
| of doing things but if you're a novice grower, it's | | | | unless the plant is diseased. Black marks on the |
| best to start using commonly recommended | | | | leaves can indicate bacteria which can spread |
| practices. | | | | across the plant. In that case, the affected leaves |
| Growers prune this type of orchid for two | | | | can be removed to avoid healthy ones being |
| different purposes. One purpose is to encourage | | | | infected. It's vitally important to remember to |
| fresh growth and help the plant to develop | | | | sterilize your tools and avoid spreading the |
| strength and maintain health. Pruning for this | | | | bacteria to other orchids. |
| reason should be undertaken at the end of the | | | | Pruning, repotting and generally caring for your |
| flowering phase and just when stems begin to | | | | orchids may take some time but the chances are |
| change color. To prune, cut the stems just above | | | | you'll be rewarded by an impressive show of |
| the second node. Some gardeners choose to cut | | | | flowers. |
| further down however, err on the side of caution | | | | |